Off-duty officer electrocuted

HONESDALE (AP) — Police in northeastern Pennsylvania said an off-duty officer was electrocuted while trying to help a driver who had crashed into a utility pole.

The Times-Tribune reported that Daniel “J.J.” Lomax came across the crash and tried to help Saturday morning in Salem Township. Authorities said the 55-year-old Lomax was electrocuted after coming into contact with downed power lines and died at the scene.

The car had caught fire and the driver, 20-year-old Angel Cortez, suffered severe burns. A hospital spokesman said he was listed in critical condition Monday.

The Wayne County coroner’s office has ruled Lomax’s death an accident. He volunteered for fire companies in Factoryville and Carbondale Township and was a part-time police officer in Mayfield, Forest City and Great Be

WASHINGTON — The Army will eliminate at least 12 combat brigades, relocate thousands of soldiers and cancel $400 million in construction projects as the first wave of federal budget cuts takes aim at military communities around the country.

In a massive restructuring, Army leaders said Tuesday that they will slash the number of active duty combat brigades from 45 to 33, as the service moves